Life In The Northwoods

     A couple weeks ago we bought a new car. We had decided that a 2 door and a car seat were a combination we didn't feel like dealing with if we could help it. It is a 2004 VW Passat and the newest car we have ever owned. It's a pretty sweet ride and we named her Stella, because every good vehicle needs a name. I'm looking forward to the backseat having someone special buckled in.

    Today, Luke got back to work on the roof. This has been one long project and slowly but surely, it is reaching it's end. Just in time for the changing of the seasons too.

     The first day of Fall is here and gone and the world around us is welcoming the transition. The leaves are starting to change and the crab apple tree in the front yard has already lost most of its leaves. I had a giant pot of chili bubbling on the stove today and relaxed on the couch for a bit this afternoon with a cup of creamy, hot cocoa. It's delightful and I love it. Happy Saturday!

"Life fails to be perfect, but it never fails to beautiful."~Unknown

Our Little Family

The first time I went up to Jackpine and drove through the tiny town of Williams, I remember thinking that it would be funny if we someday moved to Williams and had a baby boy and named him William. Because then he could be William Williams from Williams. Well, I have no idea if this baby is a boy and no intention of naming him William if it is, or moving for that matter. However, last year we stopped at the sign to take a picture and I decided that when we got pregnant I wanted to do it again. Perhaps this will become our annual family picture. Anyway, Happy Wednesday!

(Photo credits to Benjamin and Keren Pope)

Jackpine 2016

      There are a few events that happen every year and they are always some of my favorite times. One such annual happening is Jackpine retreat. For 40 plus years, my church has headed North to Williams, MN for a weekend of camping and fellowship. My Love has attended every year of his life, with the exception of 2 years. Once when he was 4 and his sister the Lovely Keren Ruth was born, and then the second year of our marriage when I happened to be a bridesmaid in a friends wedding the same weekend. This just goes to show what a treasured time of year it is.
     I have gone every year since we got married, except the year I was in my friends wedding. When I first moved up North for school and was getting to know the Williams family, they invited my brother Jordan and I to go with them. We declined, something that looking back, I now regret. Anyway, adventures are always had.
    This year our campsite included us, the Popes, the Andersons, the Murrays, the Johnsons, the newly minted Millers(Polly and Isaac) and Irindee. Our combined forces produced tasty food and some good campfire laughs.
     It was cool for most of the weekend which is perfect Jackpine weather. It was rather misty on Saturday morning, but it eventually cleared off. It was lovely.

The Popes. Mr. Ephraim and his sweet snuggles. 

The Andersons

The Murrays.

The Millers

 The Johnsons minus Derek who had to work. (Martha is one of Luke's sisters.)

Irindee and Mr. Ephraim 

Next year, Baby Williams will be a sweet addition to the fun. 

Nieces: Margaret and Mara

Sometimes you just need to pull down a dead tree. 

Luke discovered that fruit snacks were the way into Ax's heart. 

Playing with a chainsaw is apparently a LOT of fun. 

Travis and Luke

Martha and Irindee

  

The Lovely Keren Ruth

 Spool walking

 Nettie 

Ax found an Ax

 Our cozy campsite

Benjamin and Mr. Ephraim

The new Mrs. Miller and myself

 The Edwards Family(Anna is one of Luke's sisters)

Heidi and Mr. Ephraim

Blue eyed wonder

Benjamin and Matt

Matt and Madi

Adventures!!!

"Nature is the art of God." ~Dante Alighieri

"The world is round so that friendship may encircle it." ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin 

Roadtrips, Pianos, and Life

      I spent today in my classroom cutting out locker tags, laminating things, and getting bulletin boards ready for the new school year. Tomorrow is the 1st day of my 4th year and that is just crazy. I'm looking forward to it.
     This weekend was lovely. Friday evening, we hit the road, heading south to visit my grandparents. My Grandpa and Grandma Shearer gave us their piano and so we made the drive in Roscoe, our trusty truck, to pick it up. I am excited about having a real piano, not just a key board in the house. Thankfully, my Uncle Rod showed up and was able to help get the piano moved. It went a lot smoother than I had anticipated.

Strapping the piano in. We then proceeded to drive around the rest of the weekend with this as well as a bunch of other stuff strapped in the back. We were cool looking!

While we were there we also had a picnic at the Oasis with my Aunt Ramona and Uncle Dan, it was fun seeing them.

      On Sunday we headed to Rochester for a quick visit with my family and then my lovely friend Polly got married on Monday. It was the most unique wedding due to the fact that during the outdoor ceremony we could hear the thunder rumbling and the clouds rolling in. And then the skies opened up and a torrential downpour ensued with monsoon winds and it didn't let up. The party carried on in groups in the barn and garage and front porch. All together it was an unforgettable wedding. I am so happy for Polly and Isaac.
   We caravanned home with the Lovely Keren Ruth, Benjamin, and Mr. Ephraim. That was rather fun and we stopped in Saint Cloud for pizza. So, a good weekend was had, and now 15 students are ready and waiting for school to start tomorrow. That is almost double the class size I had last year. Adventures!
     Oh and last week, Baby Williams decided to make an appearance in the form of a baby bump. If you didn't know before it's pretty obvious now!

Happy Tuesday.

"Enjoy the little things in life because one day you will look back and realize they were the big things." ~Unknown

Today

     My house is currently full of giggling girls. My little sisters are visiting for the week, so I asked a couple of my students to come over for a play date. I do believe it was a good idea, I like hearing the giggles. I've been thinking about the beauty of home today. A home is truly a blessing, a thing that is simple and complex and oh so important.
    The weather is slightly cool and grey today which has me thinking about Fall. To top off the feeling, I've decided to make a pot of stuffing and chicken for supper. Delightful. I've also spent a portion of today curled up on the couch with a good book. My summer job ended last week and I must say I am enjoying my time off before school starts!
     God is good. I am blessed. Life is beautiful. Happy Thursday.

"Rest and be thankful."~William Wadsworth

   

Adventures Ahead

I went to college in these shoes.

I explored Africa in these shoes.

I got married in these shoes.

I taught school in these shoes.

And now, I'm thinking I'll try the barefoot and pregnant thing....

Baby Williams due to arrive March 2017. Adventures Ahead!


"Babies are such a nice way to start people." ~Don Herold

"Sometimes the littlest things take up the most room in your heart." ~Winnie the Pooh

Summer Adventures

      August is almost half way over and Summer is still in full swing, but the idea of Fall is just around the corner(School starts in less than a month!). This has been a busy summer for sure. My Love continues to work on the roof and it's coming along. It sure will look different once he's done. He ended up raising the whole thing to work around the weird angles and make the steel fit better.

      He is currently working on the area over our laundry room, unfortunately it has also been rainy lately, meaning we've had water issues. At least the laundry room is just a cement slab. Last Sunday we had a work party and a lot was accomplished so that is awesome. And next weekend, Travis and Anna(Anna is one of Luke's sisters) are coming up to help so we have high hopes that a good chunk will get done.
     Last weekend my Love and I celebrated 5 years. It's been a good half a decade! Our anniversary means that it was once again the  Itasca Family Bluegrass Festival. That festival is one of my favorite weekends of the year. My good friend Larisa came up for it as well. Much fun was had!

     Unfortunately my poor garden has suffered this summer. Weeding was not my top priority and it has sort of turned into a jungle. Oh well, life happens. However, my sunflowers are looking great. I didn't plant nearly that many, but apparently they reseeded themselves from last years dropped seeds. I'm good with it. I think they are extremely happy and beautiful. 

       We have had some decent storms this summer, one of which could rival the humdinger we had about 4 years ago. A lot of trees went down around town. Thankfully, we didn't have any damage, though we did loose power for several hours. Storms bring rainbows though, and a good rainbow always manages to bring a smile to my face. And then if it happens to be a double rainbow, it just doesn't get much better than that. 

     Part of the business of this summer is that many of our friends and family have bought new houses and have been moving. It has been fun to help them move and see their new homes. What could be better than friendship and home. They go together so perfectly. 

     So, yesterday at work, we took the kids to the park for a field trip. I heard my new favorite excuse to the accusation of "He kicked me." When I asked the little boy if he had kicked her he said, "I was trying to stop her with my foot." Yep, keeping it real! 

     

     And then there is Mr. Ephraim. Nothing quite like enjoying a pickle with your feet on the table at the end of a long week!

     Luke and Mr. Ephraim catching up on life. 

     May your Saturday be delightful!

"Every summer has a story." ~Unknown